Means to check the flow of water in streams.



W. E. PEDLEY.

MEANS TO CHECK THE FLOW 6F WATER IN STREAMS.

APPLICATlON FILED APR. 8. I916.

1 ,21 9,995 Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

Inventor. William E. Pedleg.

WILLIAM E. PEDLEY, OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA MEANS TO CHECK THE FLOW OF WATER IN STREAM S.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917'.

Application filed April 8, 1916. Serial No. 89,800.

To all whom it may-concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. P DLEY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Riverside, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Means to Check the Flow of Water in Streams, of which the following is a speci fication.

This invention relates to improvements in means for checking, modifying or otherwise retarding the fiow of Water in streams, rivers or other water-ways.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, and yet effective means for stemming and modifying the current of streams by means of flexible devices suspended and held within the volume of the stream of water. V

In the drawing forming a part of this specification,

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through the body of a stream and through the improved retarding device arranged therein showing the reduction of the stream and the raising of the water above the checking device.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the stream, the retarding device being shown in position therein. a

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, through the body of a stream and the banks upon either side thereof, the checking device being shown as anchored in place.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of one of the cross cables or strands of the device and showing a streamer secured thereto.

The parts of the invention will now be more particularly described, reference being had to the drawing in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated.

The said embodiment preferably com-- prises a series of transverse cables, cords or ropes 5 which are adapted to extend from one bank to the other of the stream, river or other water course, the movement of whose water it is desired to stem, check or reduce.

used, some sagging more than others as shown in Fig. 3 so that a large number of cables can be brought into effect in the current of the river or other streams.

If preferred as shown in Fig. 3, the top cable may be provided with floats as 9 made of cork, wood orother suitable material, and the lower cable may be provided with weights as 10' formed of any suitable heavymaterial which will tend to depress the lower cable and hold the device more securely in place. Supporting rods as 11 may also be employed for tending to support all the cables and hold .them in proper relation to each other. Such supporting rods are usually tied or otherwise secured to the various cables as shown in Fig. 3.

The cables 5 are preferably metallic cables, though ropes or other similar material may be employed within the spirit of the invention. At intervals along the length of each cable are secured streamers 7 which may be made of one or more cords securely knotted, clamped or otherwise tied as at 8 to the said transverse cables 5. A loosely twisted twine about one quarter of an inch in diameter proves very effective.

The streamers may be single cords or a bunch of cords in each instance as preferred.

The streamers are made of considerable length so as to extend outwardly from the transverse cables 5 to any desired length. The said streamers are made of length adapted to accomplish the desired raising of the level of the water in which they are anchored. The greater the desired raise of level, the longer the streamers. The streamers 7 may be made of cord or other flexible material such as sheets of burlap.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the streamers will spread through the current of the stream with considerable frequency so that a large amount of friction is offered to the movement of the water. The device is found in use to greatly retard or check the current of a stream so that its surface will 7 rise toa considerable degree, above or back of the device indicated in Fig. 1. The said device obstructs the flow of water, but not so that the water flows over it. 7 It does not cut beneath the device either but passes readily through the obstruction without enlarging the bed of the stream or the banks thereof.

However the friction of the water passing through the numerous narrower passages between the streamers is found sufficient to back up the Water upon the upstream side, until the height of Water is sufficient to bal- I ance the friction developed in passing through the obstruction.

What I claim is:

1. A current retarding means, comprising a series of lines anchored transversely of a stream and pliant streamers connected at intervals thereto, free at one end and adapted to lie in the stream for retarding the current thereof, and backing up the Water level.

2. A current retarding device, comprising cables of varying lengths for sagging to a greater or less extent in the stream arranged transverse thereto, means for anchoring the ends of the cables upon the banks of the river or streams, and a plurality of pliant Copier of this patent may be obtained for streamers connected With the cables at intervals, free at one end and lying in the Water of the stream for checking its velocity.

3. A current retarding structure, comprising transverse strands of differing lengths adapted to be anchored at their ends, the upper strands having floats secured thereto While the lower strands are provided With Weights, spreaders interposed between the strands and pliant streamers connected With the said strands, free at one end and adapted to lie in the current of a stream for producing friction therein.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th day of March, 1916.

WILLIAM E. PEDLEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

